League Is The Bread & Butter

Manager Lee Johnson has warned the team about getting too carried away with our Cup exploits this season because our focus has to be on the league.

Speaking to the Official Site as we head into the game tomorrow against Gillingham, Johnson said that whilst the Cup distractions had been brilliant boosts for the club both in terms of lifting and giving confidence to the players and the obvious financial rewards a run in competitions can bring, the players need to replicate their Cup form in what really matters - the league.

'We have a big job to do in the league, we have done well in the Cups with half of our wins coming in those competitions but the league is our bread and butter.'

Johnson says that so far this season, especially given how we have played at points, he's very disappointed with the points tally that we have on the board and simply point, it has to improve and we need to start taking results from games that match our performance and effort levels.

Despite that disappointment though he's not disappointed with where the team are in their development and he's quite comfortable about that, but again he doesn't feel where we are in the 'plan' is reflected by our league form.

He obviously wants that to begin this weekend when we face Gillingham but he knows they will be out to wipe the memories of their FA Cup exit, so we will have to be at our best again to ensure the result we want from the match and the players cannot allow any complacency to creep into their play on the day.

Tomorrows match also marks the end of Joseph Mills' three month loan spell at the club so following the final whistle he will return to his parent club Burnley as he cannot extend the deal or move again now until the January window.

All in he has made 13 appearances for the club during his time with us, and obviously that number would've been greater had it not been for the hamstring injury he sustained.

He said of his time with us.

'I've enjoyed my time here and it has been a good experience. The first two months went really well, but unfortunately in the last one a hamstring injury hampered me. '

He says now that he'll return to Burnley and work hard to try and get into Sean Dyche's plans so he can continue his first team development but come January if that hasn't happened, obviously a conversation will be had and he'll reassess things.

Sounds like he's definitely not ruling out a return if things go that way.

As for other team news.

Jonathan Grounds is back in contention for the match having served his one match suspension. Carl Winchester and Glenn Belezika return following international duty, but Kirk Millar remains out following his recent injury.